The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, found himself at the center of controversy early Sunday morning as he was escorted out of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Benin by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Frank Mba.
The incident unfolded around 2 a.m. when Obaseki entered the INEC premises, reportedly to monitor the ongoing collation of results for the governorship election.
However, his presence was met with opposition from members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who had gathered outside the office to protest.
Led by Dennis Idahosa, the running mate of APC candidate Monday Okpebholo, the protesters demanded that Obaseki leave the premises, claiming he had no right to be there as he was not a candidate in the election.
Tensions escalated when Idahosa and other APC officials accused the governor of abusing his office.
“He is not a candidate. He has no reason to be here,” stated the APC National Secretary, Surajudeen Basiru, addressing journalists outside the INEC office. “His actions are a clear abuse of office.”
As the situation intensified, mobile policemen deployed to maintain order shouted at the governor to “Leave, leave.”
Minutes later, DIG Frank Mba arrived with a contingent of police officers and escorted Obaseki out of the premises.
The governor’s entry into the INEC office had been under the cover of night, and he was seen sitting close to the Edo Resident Electoral Commissioner’s office where election results were being collated.
Despite repeated attempts by protesters to breach the INEC gate, they were prevented from entering the premises.
